THE last mill chimney in Ribchester is being demolished after dominating the village's skyline for over 100 years.

The imposing 110ft chimney at Banister Mill in Preston Road is to come down after being declared unsafe.

The mill was constructed by East Lancashire textile family the Openshaws, but acquired by Ribchester weaver Lewis Banister in 1890, following a fire at the site.

The mill then passed down four generations of the Banister family and in its heyday employed up to 300 weavers, including many Ribchester villagers.

But brick rot in the imposing chimney means it has become unstable and is having to be demolished.

Current owner of the site, Michael Banister, 43, said: "I am the fourth generation of the Banister family to own and run the mill.

"Two years ago we stopped weaving at the site, although we are still a textile manufacturer, albeit without looms, and now produce our cloth at sites throughout Europe.

"The chimney is going damp inside and could become dangerous, so has had to be demolished."

Warburton's Steeplejacks, of Blackburn, started dismantling the chimney last week and it could take up to four weeks for demolition to be completed.

The mill is now split into 25 industrial units, occupied by a variety of people, including a cheesemaker, computer dealer, car mechanic and electrician, and up to a hundred people are currently employed there.

A stone owl on top of the chimney that has become a popular village landmark is to be salvaged and placed on top of the new units.

"We are sad to see the chimney go, but the bricks are getting soft and beginning to bulge at the bottom.

"The stone owl has become quite famous and I'm glad to say it will find a new home on top of the new units," Michael Banister added.